Yellowhammers do not appear to be a major competitor with any native species. Flocks may still cause much loss of newly-sown grass seed on lawns and playing fields and in parks. As a result of this damage, a bounty was placed on the heads of yellowhammers, and their eggs. Around this time it also caused a considerable amount of damage to grain crops. This was due to its habit of feeding on the newly-sown seeds. It was considered a pest in the early 20th Century when pasture was being established on newly-cleared farmland. The clearance of native forests benefited this species greatly. They are uncommon (possibly vagrant) on the Chatham Islands. Yellowhammers are common and widespread in open country throughout much of the mainland. It is found mostly from sea-level up to 600 m, occasionally up to 1600 m. They are common in coastal habitats, and also inhabit tussock grassland, though seldom in alpine areas. It can also frequently be seen in city gardens and parks outside the breeding season, especially in places where there is newly-sown grass seed. This includes farmland with ditches and hedgerows, pasture with patches of scrub and trees, stubble fields and weed-infested crops. The yellowhammer is a bird of open country. Many birds from northern populations winter in North Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia. The natural breeding range of the yellowhammer is Eurasia, extending from Britain east to Siberia and south to the Mediterranean Sea. Vagrants have been reported from Snares, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell and Lord Howe Islands. Their status on the Chatham Islands is unclear (either a rare breeding species or vagrant from mainland New Zealand). They also breeds on the Kermadec Islands. Yellowhammers are present on many offshore islands, from the Three Kings in the north to islets off Stewart Island in the south. In the North Island, they are uncommon in some higher inland parts of the central and eastern districts. However, they are sparsely distributed in parts of Fiordland, western Canterbury and south Westland in the South Island. Yellowhammers are widespread and common in open country throughout much of the New Zealand mainland. Pipit, skylark and chaffinch all have white outer tail feather showing in flight, but are unlikely to be confused with yellowhammer if seen well. It is also rare and localised, never in the North Island (see its distribution map) and confined largely to beech forests, whereas the yellowhammer prefers open country. The endemic yellowhead is superficially similar to the yellowhammer however this bird is shorter in the tail and lacks the dark streaking of the yellowhammer. The female cirl bunting has even less yellow than the female yellowhammer. The yellow colouration is largely confined to streaks above and below the eye, with some yellow on the underparts. Similar species: the male of the much rarer and more localised cirl bunting, has a darker general appearance. The contact call of ‘ twick’ or ‘ twitic' is given frequently by both sexes. Voice: the song of the male is distinctive and repetitive often rendered as 'a little bit of bread and no cheese'. Both sexes have white outer tail-feathers, which are conspicuous in flight, and chestnut rumps. The female is much browner and more streaked on the head and upper surface, with some yellow on the underparts. The male has a mostly bright yellow head and underparts, and a darkly streaked mantle. Yellowhammers are similar in body size to a house sparrow however their tail is relatively longer. They are frequently seen feeding on the seeds in hay fed to livestock, and also on newly-sown grass seed. Yellowhammers feed on a variety of seeds and invertebrates. Introduced from Britain by Acclimatisation Societies between 18, it has spread widely, including reaching many off-shore islands. The colourful yellowhammer is a common inhabitant of open country throughout much of New Zealand.
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